Eye Conditions Archives - Page 45 of 66 - Natural Eye Care Blog: News & Research on Vision

Cataracts and Glaucoma in Children Linked to Genetic Defect

A genetic glitch may be responsible for incidents of cataracts in children.

According to a press release from Maine’s Jackson Laboratory, researchers have found that RNA granules, which are key components in the reproduction of genes, might be linked to eye development. Problems with RNA granules can result in juvenile cataracts and glaucoma. If there is a problem with a key gene, Tdrd7, the development of the lens of the eye will be compromised, leading to these potentially blinding conditions.

The study was conducted with mice, but scientists believe that when children are missing the essential protein created by this specific gene they will be born with cataracts. Furthermore, the genetic mutation will mean that even after the surgical removal of cataracts, the affected children will be likely to develop glaucoma because they “may not have adequate protection from oxidative stress in the drainage structures of the eye.”

These finding will be published in the journal Science.

Source: The Jackson Laboratory

Update: Corneal Thickness Gene

One risk factor for glaucoma is central corneal thickness.

Researchers looking at ethnic populations in Singapore have identified the genes that affect collagen growth, which in turn affects central corneal thickness. Knowing how these specific genes work can help provide insight into the cause and progression of glaucoma.

Source: hmg.oxfordjournals.org/

Update: Glaucoma Gene

New research shows that genetics, and not necessarily increased eye pressure, can be responsible for the onset of glaucoma.

A study published in the journal Nature Genetics shows that open angle glaucoma is associated with the pathogenic gene PRSS56. The study was performed by researchers in Sweden, Tunisia, and the US. The Tunisian scientists based their research on families who suffered from glaucoma while the Americans focused on animal research.

Source: News Medical

Update: Genetic Gene Mutation

A new breakthrough in genetics research has identified the strands of DNA that can responsible for the development of open angle glaucoma.

Australian scientists publishing in Nature Genetics have found two new genetic mutations that can be linked to increased glaucoma risk. Though the mutation of the gene myocilin is present in only 3% of those who develop the disease, people with the mutation are 3 times more likely to have glaucoma than the general population.

Study authors indicate that this discovery could lead to better screening techniques and earlier detection of the disease often known as the “silent thief” since it progresses and destroys vision without one’s knowledge. Often, when one realizes their sight has been negatively affected by glaucoma the disease is significantly advanced.

Source: ABC Science

Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric All Help Regulate Diabetes

Diabetes & Spices — Image via doh.sd.gov

Another major study describes how some of the spices in your kitchen can help treat diabetes.

Garlic, ginger, and turmeric were found to have positive effects on diabetic rats. The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition (2011), 105: 1210-1217, finds that ingesting these common spices helped the animals who suffered from metabolic syndrome and helped modulate oxidative stress levels.

Rats who took the spices in powder form mixed with water for 28 days showed a 80-97% reduction in metabolic syndrome symptoms. The animals’ insulin production increased by 26-37% and their antioxidant defense systems were boosted by up to 52%.

Of the three spices tested, garlic seemed to have the most profound impact on reducing the risks associated with metabolic syndrome and related cardiovascular problems.

Source: https://journals.cambridge.org

Important Note: Before taking turmeric supplements check with your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner. While adding a bit of turmeric to your cooking is usually ok, more concentrated forms have a lot of punch. Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric is a blood thinner.

3-D Video Games Can Help Identify Eye Conditions in Children

A recent Associated Press article highlights the video game company Nintendo’s recommendation that kids under 6 should not use their portable 3-D gaming device. The company warns that the 3-D screen could harm young children’s still developing vision.

On the other side of the issue, a spokesman from the American Optometric Association declares that the device may actually be “a godsend” because it will help identify young children who need vision therapy. If a child cannot see the 3-D effects, it could indicate that he or she may have amblyopia or some other eye teaming deficiency. Source: Detroit News

Other studies have found that time spent playing video games and/or watching television do not seem to be detrimental to children’s vision. Still, it is important to note that time in front of a screen does not help children build vital visual skills. Being outside, looking at distant objects is a great way to help ensure that kids will have healthier vision.

Retinitis Pigmentosa: Benefits of Vitamin A, Drawbacks of Vitamin E

“Take your vitamins” is almost always a good recommendation, but if you have retinitis pigmentosa (RP), you need to be a little choosy about which vitamins you take.

A 1993 study showed that taking 15,000 IU of vitamin A each day was very helpful for RP sufferers. Taking any more vitamin A than this recommended dose did not appear to be beneficial.

On the other hand, taking vitamin E (the study focused on intake of 400 IU per day) can actually accelerate the course of the disease and cause vision to deteriorate at a faster rate.

For more information on this and other scientific studies related to the treatment and prevention of retinitis pigmentosa, visit our research index.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Responds to Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for the potentially blinding condition retinitis pigmentosa.

An article in the Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion describes how acupuncture treatments alleviate stress on the retinal and optic nerves by relieving intraocular pressure.

Another study, this one published in Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine discusses how Traditional Chinese Medicine is able to improve retinitis pigmentosa patients’ retinal cone activity.

Scientist involved with this study say, “TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) treatment could also enhance the bioactivity of (the) nerve network and therefore have a definite significance in retarding the progression of disease and keeping the central vision.”

Source: https://www.healthcmi.com

At Natural Eye Care, we believe strongly in the power of acupuncture and TCM when it comes to healing the eyes. In fact, we wrote the book on it.

Leafy Greens Help Prevent Macular Degeneration

The Huffington Post is on board with the idea that colorful food is good for you and that the colors on your plate indicate the nutrients that will help you thrive.

As their columnist Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D. says ” Dark, leafy greens (spinach, chard and arugula) are good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, phytochemicals that accumulate in the eyes and help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older people.”

At Natural Eye Care, we definitely agree with that statement, though we might recommend eating 1 1/2 to 2 cups per day, not per week as Wright recommends. A plant based diet full of leafy greens is essential for optimum eye health.

Glaucoma Linked to Sleep Apnea and Circulatory Issues

A holistic perspective on health means that we recognize the interrelated nature of the body’s systems. It also means that we understand the connection between the eyes and seemingly unrelated conditions like sleep apnea and circulatory problems.

People who have sleep apnea are 75% more likely to have glaucoma than those without sleep conditions.

Glaucoma is a disease that has a lot to do with blood flow. According to an interview with professor of optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dr. Leo Semes, people who have peripheral vascular deregulation (often signaled by chronically cold hands) might mean people are more likely to develop glaucoma.

Source: Modern Medicine

Dr. Semes also cautions people about using beta blockers (drugs often prescribed for high blood pressure or to previous heart attack victims) because “Low blood pressure at night, coupled with high IOP in the supine position, can compromise ocular perfusion pressure.” Several population-based studies have suggested that low diastolic perfusion pressure is associated with an increased incidence of open-angle glaucoma (OAG). For information on drugs that can harm the eyes, have a look at this page.

For more research studies on glaucoma and its connection to other physical conditions, please visit our website.

Cataract Surgery Can Lower Eye Pressure

In addition to removing a cataract, cataract surgery can also lower eye pressure. Eye pressure or intraocular pressure is often (but not always) associated with the development of glaucoma.

A study presented at the American Glaucoma Society meeting explains how patients who had ocular hypertension before cataracts surgery exhibited a marked decrease in eye pressure after the procedure. Their pressure readings decreased by 18%. They were not taking any medication to lower their eye pressure.

Source: OSN Super Site

It is possible to avoid what has become the most common surgery in the US – cataract removal – through a combination of nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Fighting free radicals by boosting your antioxidant intake is a great place to start.

Cataracts Linked to Radiation Exposure

Many years after the release of radiation disaster at Chernobyl, Russia, cataract have appeared as one of the health issues changing the lives of those people who were exposed to radiation when the reactor exploded. This has been reported by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, UNSCEAR.

Researchers publishing in the journal Radiation looked at the eyes of 8,607 Chernobyl clean-up workers 12 and 14 years after they were exposed. Only 3.9% had nuclear cataracts, but 25% had posterior subcapsular or cortical cataracts from radiation exposure. Finding the prevalence of this other type of cataract leads scientists to believe that the exposure limits set for clean up workers by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) were in fact too high. An article at EyeWorld.com states, “Thus, conventional wisdom regarding acceptable doses of radiation to the eye for space activities are actually not acceptable, according to this study.”

Hopefully, the world will never see another Chernobyl, but this information is important for people who are exposed to radiation in other ways. Bone marrow transplant patients, for example, are treated with a course of radiation and often develop cataracts many years later.

Sources: Radiation, Eye World

Astronauts, Space Radiation & Cataracts

Cross-sectional data analysis revealed a small deleterious effect of space radiation for cortical cataracts and possibly for PSC cataracts. These results suggest increased cataract risks at smaller radiation doses than have been reported previously.

SOURCE: Chylack LT Jr, Peterson LE, Feiveson AH, et al. NASA study of cataract in astronauts (NASCA). Report 1: Cross-sectional study of the relationship of exposure to space radiation and risk of lens opacity. Radiat Res 2009;172(1):10-20.

For more information, go to Natural Eye Care for Cataract Treatment and Prevention.

Dry Eye Syndrome Triggered By Low Temperatures

Dry Eye Syndrome - temperatures — Image by Imelenchon

Spring will probably be a relief for all of us in northern climates, but especially those who suffer from dry eye syndrome.

A study published in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science describes how dry eye syndrome can be worse when temperatures sink below 30 degrees Celcius[1. D. Borchman, et al, Human meibum lipid conformation and thermodynamic changes with meibomian-gland dysfunction, Investigative and Visual Science, June, 2011],[2. 5. I.A. Butovich, J.C. Arciniega, et al, Meibomian Lipid Films and the Impact of Temperature, Investigations in Ophthalmology and Visual Science, November, 2010]. Since that is about 86 degrees Fahrenheit, any time you are out in (especially windy, dry weather) you may have the dry eye burning and tearing experience. Not until the hot weather of summer will weather related relief for your dry eye symptoms arrive. Luckily, there are other effective strategies that you can try to prevent and treat your dry eye symptoms.

Meibomian Layer

According to the study, temperature affects the function of the meibomian layer of the eye, which produces the oily substance that protects the outer layer of the tear film. The meibomian layer can become stiff and thick and not spread evenly over the surface of the tear film to protect it from evaporation. And when the tear film evaporates too quickly you have the burning, tearing dry eye symptom.

Being out in the wind can also greatly exacerbate dry eye symptoms as well as living and working in the dry air so common in the heated spaces in which most of us spend our winters.

The solution: Be sure to blink when you are outdoors to keep spreading the tear film across your cornea. Pay attention to whether your eyes feel the slightest bit of burning so that you might be able to avert the tearing that will result.